Circular economy from an SDG perspective: A multi-stakeholder process for developing policy options
© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
Based on a longitudinal case study (the UniNEtZ project in Austria), which includes a multi-stakeholder involvement, we investigate the process of developing CE policies for the Austrian Federal Government from an SDG perspective. Within this context, the main research question is how multi-stakeholder processes can enable the development of CE policy options. The study thus contributes to providing a structured approach of how different stake-holders from academia, industry, research funding agencies and government collaborate, how knowledge is created and transferred within this multi-stakeholder process, and what outputs, outcomes and impacts can be realized at the national level in the context of developing CE policies using an SDG framework.
© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
Based on a longitudinal case study (the UniNEtZ project in Austria), which includes a multi-stakeholder involvement, we investigate the process of developing CE policies for the Austrian Federal Government from an SDG perspective. Within this context, the main research question is how multi-stakeholder processes can enable the development of CE policy options. The study thus contributes to providing a structured approach of how different stake-holders from academia, industry, research funding agencies and government collaborate, how knowledge is created and transferred within this multi-stakeholder process, and what outputs, outcomes and impacts can be realized at the national level in the context of developing CE policies using an SDG framework.
PlasticFreeDanube: Composition of macro-plastic waste in and along the Danube River
© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
The reliable estimates are essential to developing measures to reduce plastic pollution and to make successes measurable and visible. For this reason, the cross-border project "PlasticFreeDanube" (PFD), which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of Interreg Slovakia-Austria, aims to gain new knowledge on this topic for the Danube.
© Lehrstuhl für Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
The reliable estimates are essential to developing measures to reduce plastic pollution and to make successes measurable and visible. For this reason, the cross-border project "PlasticFreeDanube" (PFD), which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of Interreg Slovakia-Austria, aims to gain new knowledge on this topic for the Danube.
Legal Requirements for Forestry in Natura 2000 Areas
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (4/2020)
Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive obligesMember States to take appropriate protective measures in sites that have been designated under Natura 20002 to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as well as disturbances of the species for which the sites have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of the Directive. This avoidance of deterioration applies to activities and impacts of any kind (see also Article 33(1.1) German Federal Nature Conservation Act (hereinafter ‘‘FNCA’’).
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (4/2020)
Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive obligesMember States to take appropriate protective measures in sites that have been designated under Natura 20002 to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as well as disturbances of the species for which the sites have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of the Directive. This avoidance of deterioration applies to activities and impacts of any kind (see also Article 33(1.1) German Federal Nature Conservation Act (hereinafter ‘‘FNCA’’).
Natura 2000 Forest Areas in Greece: a National Implementation Review
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (2/2020)
The protection of natural habitats and species has always been an important field for legislative and political action at an EU level. The first regulatory step in this direction came in the form of Directive 79/409 on the conservation on wild birds (“Birds Directiveâ€) which was later complemented by Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (“Habitats Directiveâ€). Both Directives are significant tools for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the EU as they are legally binding for the Member States.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (2/2020)
The protection of natural habitats and species has always been an important field for legislative and political action at an EU level. The first regulatory step in this direction came in the form of Directive 79/409 on the conservation on wild birds (“Birds Directiveâ€) which was later complemented by Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (“Habitats Directiveâ€). Both Directives are significant tools for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the EU as they are legally binding for the Member States.
Measures to Implement an Advanced Waste Management System in the Czech Republic
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The Czech Republic is now preparing the new complete revision of waste law. The transformation of the waste management into the circular economy started through the legislative process in June 2016. Waste management plan of the Czech Republic for 2015 to 2024 clearly specifies waste strategy and priorities for the country. Thus, in the Act on waste the ban on landfilling of recyclable and recoverable waste in 2024, obligatory separate collection of main municipal waste streams including biowaste since 2015 and currently proposed increase of waste landfilling tax with strict recycling targets already in 2018 are only the first milestones leading to smarter waste future in the Czech Republic.
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The Czech Republic is now preparing the new complete revision of waste law. The transformation of the waste management into the circular economy started through the legislative process in June 2016. Waste management plan of the Czech Republic for 2015 to 2024 clearly specifies waste strategy and priorities for the country. Thus, in the Act on waste the ban on landfilling of recyclable and recoverable waste in 2024, obligatory separate collection of main municipal waste streams including biowaste since 2015 and currently proposed increase of waste landfilling tax with strict recycling targets already in 2018 are only the first milestones leading to smarter waste future in the Czech Republic.
Wrong Tracks in Waste Management
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Waste Management is ubiquitous in our everyday life. Economic prosperity and the abundance of materialistic goods imply the generation of waste. In parallel the public awareness for environmentally sound solutions in the field of waste management is raising. This context imposes challenging conditions for political leaders. Often politicians are confronted to take decisions about concepts or investments in waste management without independent expertise. They are approached by vendors of waste treatment technologies or concepts, claiming high environmental and energetic performance, combined with profitable cost – benefit rates.
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Waste Management is ubiquitous in our everyday life. Economic prosperity and the abundance of materialistic goods imply the generation of waste. In parallel the public awareness for environmentally sound solutions in the field of waste management is raising. This context imposes challenging conditions for political leaders. Often politicians are confronted to take decisions about concepts or investments in waste management without independent expertise. They are approached by vendors of waste treatment technologies or concepts, claiming high environmental and energetic performance, combined with profitable cost – benefit rates.
Development of Waste-to-Energy Projects
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The first objective of waste management must always be to protect society and the health of individuals from harmful substances contained in the waste. Along the various methods around the globe with which waste has been treated the waste pyramid or waste management hierarchy has become widely accepted as the governing principle for waste management in modern societies. These principles have also been integrated in the European waste framework directive 2008/98/EC. At the bottom of the pyramid lays disposal of waste, meaning it is the least favourable option to treat a primary waste. However this does not mean implementing the waste pyramid prohibits disposal. It merely means that before disposal all other meaningful options are exhausted, and the quantity has been minimized.
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The first objective of waste management must always be to protect society and the health of individuals from harmful substances contained in the waste. Along the various methods around the globe with which waste has been treated the waste pyramid or waste management hierarchy has become widely accepted as the governing principle for waste management in modern societies. These principles have also been integrated in the European waste framework directive 2008/98/EC. At the bottom of the pyramid lays disposal of waste, meaning it is the least favourable option to treat a primary waste. However this does not mean implementing the waste pyramid prohibits disposal. It merely means that before disposal all other meaningful options are exhausted, and the quantity has been minimized.
Waste Management in India and Experience with the Implementation of Projects Based on Public Private Partnership Model
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Decades of improper Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management has resulted in the creation of huge dumpsites in cities. These dumpsites are causing considerable environmental pollution and are full to capacity in most cities. Land for new disposal sites is not easily available due to increasing urbanization and population pressure. In many cases there is considerable protest from surrounding villages for setting up of a new MSW disposal site.
© Thomé-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Decades of improper Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management has resulted in the creation of huge dumpsites in cities. These dumpsites are causing considerable environmental pollution and are full to capacity in most cities. Land for new disposal sites is not easily available due to increasing urbanization and population pressure. In many cases there is considerable protest from surrounding villages for setting up of a new MSW disposal site.
Europe’s Policy Framework for Promoting Offshore Wind Energy: Lessons for Taiwan and Other Countries
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (4/2015)
As a result of the recent proliferation of onshore renewable energy (RE) infrastructure in many developed countries around the world, related environmental and public concerns have arisen. Consequently, to facilitate further growth in RE, especially after the Fukushima accident of 2011, these and other countries are considering options for developing RE infrastructure offshore, or in less controversial spaces. Offshore wind farms (OWFs), for example, present a viable option for their energy policy. Europe, in particular, has emerged in recent years as a pioneer in facilitating large-scale deployments of OWFs.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (4/2015)
As a result of the recent proliferation of onshore renewable energy (RE) infrastructure in many developed countries around the world, related environmental and public concerns have arisen. Consequently, to facilitate further growth in RE, especially after the Fukushima accident of 2011, these and other countries are considering options for developing RE infrastructure offshore, or in less controversial spaces. Offshore wind farms (OWFs), for example, present a viable option for their energy policy. Europe, in particular, has emerged in recent years as a pioneer in facilitating large-scale deployments of OWFs.
When Science Meets Responsibility
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (6/2014)
The Major Risks Commission and the L’Aquila Earthquake.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (6/2014)
The Major Risks Commission and the L’Aquila Earthquake.
